While geographically set apart from our other two courses, Seaside and Plantation, Retreat is not a course to be overlooked. But like its sister course Plantation, Retreat has also seen a redesign at the hands of Sea Island Touring Professional Davis Love III and his brother Mark, who redesigned the course in 2001. Paying close attention to player preferences (including their own), Retreat is a dramatic course, a favorite that is challenging, yet very playable and interesting.
An additional 300 yards of length and wider fairways give Retreat an open feeling with a lower profile. Defined by large Georgia pines, native oaks, and bunkers, the course still allows players to swing freely for the target. Davis Love III changed the way the course plays to appeal to a broad range of players. And so everyone might enjoy the game as much as he does.
*Forecaddie is not included or required at Retreat, but is available upon request more than 24 hours in advance at an additional cost.
This starting hole has bunkers flanking the left side of the fairway and water in play on the approach shot. After a good tee shot, the player is left with a chance to go for this par five in two shots.
Hole 2|Par 4
Blue
382
White
373
Green
318
Black
307
Gold
265
This hole has a slight dogleg right with a fairway bunker protecting the drive zone on the left. Accuracy off the tee is a premium on this hole; a nicely placed tee shot leaves the player a short iron approach. Staying below the hole is key on the approach as this green complex slopes back to front.
Hole 3|Par 3
Blue
192
White
176
Green
151
Black
136
Gold
119
Bunkers guard both sides of the green on this par three hole. A sizeable green gives the player ample room to work with from the tee.
Hole 4|Par 4
Blue
424
White
394
Green
432
Black
335
Gold
307
This par four provides a benign landing area, but is protected by a sizeable waste bunker on the left. The second shot to this green is made tougher, with a bunker protecting the left side of the green and chipping swales falling off on all other sides.
Hole 5|Par 4
Blue
388
White
359
Green
341
Black
305
Gold
287
Precision from the tee can set up a short iron second shot, or mid-to-long iron for those playing it safe. The green is protected by a greenside bunker on the left and a creek that runs parallel to the fairway on the right.
Hole 6|Par 4
Blue
321
White
293
Green
282
Black
265
Gold
272
This is Retreat's signature hole. The tee shot provides numerous options, giving long hitters the ability to drive the green and the more conservative players the ability to lay up to a comfortable yardage of their choice. This green has three tiers from left to right with a sizeable valley in the center. Depending on where the approach shot is left, this green will make the payer work to two-putt.
Hole 7|Par 3
Blue
175
White
151
Green
144
Black
117
Gold
111
The short par three lends itself to a mid-to-short iron for most players. A long green from front to back and protection from the creek that meanders alongside the right of the hole makes this a challenging, yet fun hole.
Hole 8|Par 5
Blue
533
White
512
Green
486
Black
451
Gold
445
This long par five is one of the more risk/reward holes on the outward nine. Protected by bunkers on the left drive zone and a large lake on the approach, a good drive and precision approach can lead to a great chance for a birdie.
Hole 9|Par 4
Blue
398
White
380
Green
363
Black
355
Gold
306
A bunker protects the left side of the fairway on this long par four. After a good tee shot, players will be left with a mid-to-long second shot to a green that is protected by a large greenside bunker to the left.
Hole 10|Par 5
Blue
503
White
485
Green
426
Black
422
Gold
350
A short dogleg right par five, this hole requires two solid golf shots. A firm tee shot is a must, to be in position to attack this raised green, which is protected by a large bunker both front and right.
Hole 11|Par 4
Blue
384
White
372
Green
354
Black
330
Gold
289
A favorable drive zone leaves the player with a short-to-mid iron into the green. The green tilts from back to front and is protected by bunkers right and left, as well as a false front that can protect a front hole location.
Hole 12|Par 3
Blue
188
White
164
Green
154
Black
130
Gold
122
This long par three is at the mercy of the hole location. With a tremendous pitch from right to left on the green, approach shots can easily feed to a back left hole location. Large bunkers protect both sides of the green.
Hole 13|Par 4
Blue
445
White
402
Green
357
Black
308
Gold
307
This long par four plays at the mercy of the wind. A slight bend to the left and lengthy calls for a long-to-mid iron approach, depending on the teeing ground played.
Hole 14|Par 4
Blue
462
White
444
Green
411
Black
374
Gold
363
Much like the 13th hole, this too, is a demanding par four due to its length. Playing 465 yards from the championship tee, it is the longest par four on the course. A solid drive will still leave the player facing a sizeable approach to this massive green.
Hole 15|Par 4
Blue
374
White
357
Green
343
Black
338
Gold
289
One of the most underrated par fours on the course, this hole provides many options from the tee. Aggressive players are left with a wedge approach and conservative players face a mid-iron approach to a green with a false front that falls off to the left.
Hole 16|Par 3
Blue
146
White
132
Green
116
Black
113
Gold
99
This short par three is protected by a bunker and water to the left.
Hole 17|Par 5
Blue
525
White
505
Green
480
Black
450
Gold
431
Once again, the wind plays a large part in this hole requiring correct club choice. Two large bunkers protect this large green that provides multiple pin locations.
Hole 18|Par 4
Blue
365
White
355
Green
319
Black
315
Gold
249
This short but tight finishing hole measures 365 yards, requiring players to negotiate water to the left throughout the hole and out of bounds area on the right.
Play in the tradition of legendary Scottish links style, surrounded by tidal creeks, dunes, salt marshes, and the Atlantic Ocean. Dramatic, challenging. And fun.
When you offer the finest golf instruction in the world, you build a facility to match. A place where anyone from novices to champions find a unique, multidisciplinary approach to golf instruction. World-renowned golf instructors and a team of experts at the top of their game. You don’t have to be a PGA TOUR pro to train like one. And have a great time. Because at Sea Island, having a fun day out on the course is the name of the game.
Keeping our courses in top playing condition means occasionally stopping play for maintenance to give all of our fairways, bunkers, greens, and cart paths the care and attention they—and you—deserve.
We also are home to a variety of tournaments and events, including the RSM Classic.
To make the most of your stay, plan your play around course closures due to these planned maintenance, events, and other activities.
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Golf Schedule
Keeping our courses in top playing condition means occasionally stopping play for maintenance to give all of our fairways, bunkers, greens, and cart paths the care and attention they—and you—deserve.
We also are home to a variety of tournaments and events, including the RSM Classic.
To make the most of your stay, plan your play around course closures due to these planned maintenance, events, and other activities.
Short on time and want a quick round? Trying to fit everything in in one day? Play 9 holes on any course.
Family Fun
Start an exciting new family tradition or carry on a happily established one. Resort guests under the age of 19 never pay greens fees, only for cart and caddie. There’s nothing like a carefree day together on the course.
Come ready to play and ready to have fun. Having a leisurely round? Let faster groups play through.
At Sea Island, we’re committed to making every round an enjoyable one, so here are a few things to keep in mind during play so everyone can enjoy their time on the course.
An app can’t calculate the effect of wind, elevation changes, or texture of the grass. But a good caddie can. Part coach, strategist, course tour guide, and trusty companion.
This official PGA TOUR golf tournament hosted by Davis Love III draws top TOUR players, including the many players who live, train, and play at Sea Island.
This fantastic display for spectators and pros alike takes place on the renowned Seaside and Plantation courses at Sea Island Golf Club.
Proceeds from The RSM Classic benefit numerous local, regional, and national charities. Through this event, The Davis Love Foundation has given more than $17.6 million back to children and families in need to date.
Golf has been an important part of the Sea Island experience from the beginning.
Plantation opened as a nine-hole course in 1928, in the days when resort guests were accommodated on a nearby floating hotel, the Amphitrite, because The Cloister did not open until October of that year.
Since then, records have been set, championships have been hosted, and top touring professionals have been lured to Sea Island’s glorious setting.
But it’s the community atmosphere and the fun had out on our courses that we’re most proud of.
A historic course that was re-designed to bring back some traditional features and character. Along with the neighboring Seaside Course, it is the home of the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic, a FedEx cup event hosted by Davis Love. Located at the Sea Island Golf Club on Retreat Avenue.
Enjoy the beauty and tradition of legendary Scottish Links. A beautiful ocean-side course with sweeping dunes mixed with native grasses and wildflowers. A challenging and fun course, where you’re often at the mercy of the wind. Located at the Sea Island Golf Club on Retreat Avenue.
Forbes Five-Star boutique hotel in a secluded private setting. The Lodge is welcoming, comfortable, and the hub of its own Sea Island world, with championship golf right next door. Make your way to the stunning Avenue of the Oaks, Retreat Avenue, on St Simons Island, off the roundabout at Frederica Road and Kings Way.
State-of-the-art 17,000 square-foot golf instruction and training facility at The Lodge, with world-renowned golf instructors, six hitting bays, and cutting-edge technology.
Close to wherever your day will take you. Inside you have your choice of dining, shops, and the Solarium. Outside, lounge by the adult pool or stroll to The Spa, Fitness Center, and Tennis Center. With the river and dock on one side, and the Beach Club across the street.
A casual comfortable offering on St. Simons Island with 85 rooms, a vibrant outdoor area with heated pool, continental breakfast, complimentary bicycles, and a Topgolf Swing Suite. Located on Sea Island Road, a 10-minute drive from the Sea Island Golf Performance Center at The Lodge, The Inn is the perfect base to explore St. Simons Island and Georgia’s beautiful Golden Isles.
Hole 1|Par 5Blue518White495Green489Black475Gold420This starting hole has bunkers flanking the left side of the fairway and water in play on the approach shot. After a good tee shot, the player is left with a chance to go for this par five in two shots.
